Victoria

David, when I saw this Caddie, I was reminded of the lady I saw in her 7-series Beemer, wearing the most beautiful white-face, platinum Rolex DJ (I think -- check it out): The BMW and this Cadillac look very similar in build and certainly in colour: So, I'd recommend the watch she was wearing. Powerful elegance. The Fiddy I mean. (On FxrAndy strap!!)

What is is that Paneristi say? "Bringing the world together". Well that's true of us, too. Thanks Ryyannon. Coincidentally, I am going to Gesu Church before it closes, so I'll light up one of those electric candles and say a word for Jordan.

Psst. Chrgod, just wanted to thank you for re-posting this photo. Just this moment paid Jay of Silix for the Air-King, and it'll be on its way to me soon! I can't wait. Really, your photo was the only reason I bought this for dad. It looks so elegant. Thanks a lot.

Yes, yes he is. But I have a cunning plan! Type your location, preferrably with postal or zip code (I don't think Google accepts Parisian arrondisements, the ingrates). Then choose your pin, balloon, or whatever gay colour thingamabaghdadbob you decide on. Then DO NOT hit update. Just click on Save. Go back to map and see if you are listed. You should be good to go. Well, I use high-speed internet, and I rather suspect if you see smudges, you're on dial-up. If so, you're on your own, kid. (Story of your life?)

Not really. It just shows we cannot grasp the enormity of God, and His wishes to lead a righteous life. The fault lies in Man, and always has done. Okay, that's cool. I mean, I dislike evangelical people. I don't mean Christian Evangelicals, I mean evangelical people who are so convinced of their absolute grasp of truth, that it comes as some kind of affront to have people around them not share their convictions. In turn, they spend hours trying to convince people to think like them, because what they believe is superior to that person's beliefs. Nope, that's not me, never has been, never will be. I do notice a lot of Atheists are like that, though certainly I'm happy that I suspect you're not one of them. You just don't like the bunk of religion, and that's fine with me. Yes, Rodrigo Borgia was a pip, wasn't he? Any man who could have that kind of offspring (including the much-maligned Lucrezia) must've been some kind of Pope. But I don't blame religion for the faults of man. This is why I have absolutely nothing against Islam, just because some nutters use it as their fulcrum to spread violence around the world. No, few people who share any position of power are willing to stick their neck out and say such things. Research is a modern impulse, if not idea. It's based on the scientific method where you observe what you see, and make determinations based on those observations. Belief is something quite different. Until recently, I didn't think people could change once they never had it. That is, until my medical doctor father had a heart attack, was pronounced clinically dead, came back to us, and discovered that hey, maybe this Atheism thingie he always believed in wasn't the bees knees after all. But that's his journey, not yours, and not others. I wish you well in yours. Night night, Puggy.

LOVE IT! What an awesome idea. I don't like the smell of burning cigars (reminds me of an old Cuban-American boyfriend of mine), but your straps must certainly have a lovely aroma. I could've sworn that was a Walter PVD strap though. But then I noticed, no distinctive double-row of stitches. Still beautiful, Golfman! P.S.: What screwdriver set are those? I have both Bergeon, and a cheapo HK version. Looking for something price-wise, in between.

Because it's not like war or history. It's not about winning. It's about belief. Same reason I'm not called Svetlana, Estafania, or Nzhinga. Although, thankfully, I can choose to change my name (and religion) if it suits me to without getting my head chopped off.

Gathered in that Council were some of the great sages of their time (and let's be honest, the 300s AD sucked ass). Perhaps you would've preferred one dictatorial wave of the pontiff wand to define what is or what isn't Christianity? I would prefer what many people in Europe call "a dialogue". It may be by force an elite dialogue, but at least it's better than some religious dictator handing you a glass of poisoned Kool-Aid telling you to drink up, or uh, else.

It smelt like Godwin's Law. Not good, but at least you clarified, so back to the chat. This is two separate ideas. Religion. God. One (religion) is man-defined, no matter what Moses said, or what the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) claimed. The other (God) is one of those unbelievable Eureka moments that sometimes happens to Man, that gives Man an extra edge over the other animals, and always will. No. I don't. And I'm not willing to take your word for it, either.

A salient point, Pabra. However, if I understand Guanaco correctly, he is the type of person for whom his religion is part of him, but doesn't define who he is. That's me too. I believe man is inherently searching for a higher truth. Some call it God, some call it science, some call it Hublot Big Bangs. Call it whatever, but know that this search is primordial.

This is horrible overreach, Pugwash. Seriously. One feels instinctively one can speak to you, because you'll give people a square deal in exchanging ideas. No, he's a cultural Catholic*, like I am. It's been referred to as Cafeteria Catholicism, because people like us pick and choose what we like to follow based on personal convenience. (*Well, Christian to be exact) There are all types of variants, such as pracitising Liberal Judaism, or being Muslim in Turkey, where you do not follow the shar'ia. People do this, and have done this since the beginning of time because following religious Commandments is hard. Real hard. Those of us who are honest with ourselves know we're hypocrites when we don't at least try. That doesn't mean we're better or worse than anyone else. It just means we're human. Since we're discussing this on a rep forum, where people buy and sell replica watches, which is intellectual property theft at best, outright scuzziness at worst, I don't think anyone of us can claim any kind of moral high ground. That certainly is the case with me, and I'm sure there are plenty of others who agree. Guanaco was certainly honest enough to say as much.

@Cats: Dude, yes, what a strap! Is that a Delaurian?? As for me, I haven't changed since posting this on Friday: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?s=&amp...st&p=314211 BUT, here is a better snap of the PAM 217h with Mario Paci Private Stock in Cognac (sold out for 26mm -- I got the last one!). This strap is faultless. And on the destro big'un, it's to die for. Better closeup of the Mario Paci Keyring. There are just a few left. When they're all gone, that's it. Love it!

This reminds me of the old joke based on an American advert of years back. The American version: "It's 11 PM. Do you know where your child is?" The French version: "It's 11 PM. Do you know where your wife is?"

This is an awesome idea, Raymond! I was thinking of posting a review of the Steinhausen I received from my boyfriend, for my birthday this August. Not as nice as yours, but it'll do for a start. More pics later!

JONNY!!! My God, he's so fit.

Bless your heart, Tootall. I know a Florida lad like you would know about heat and straps. I have a neighbour with one of those vacuum seal machines. Let me ask her if I can use it. If not, b and c in that order! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Will update shortly.

Well, there goes our other Washington Stater! Sheesh, so many eastern seaboard members, it's not funny, Willith. And I see Rolli no longer is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. OH NO ADMIN! Man overboard indeed.

No, the whole long strap in its entirety. I am just going to hope as TT said, that in time, however much time it takes, the reddish tone will reappear. If not, I'll do the buckle strap side too. Sure! It's from the link above, in my very first post: The Catharina von Flensburg On December 10, 1786, a strong gale blowing from the southwest forced the Danish Brigantine Metta Catharina to seek shelter in Plymouth Sound. She had been bound for the Mediterranean with a cargo of hemp and leather from the Russian port of St. Petersburg. During the day the winds strengthened, turning the previously safe anchorage into a maelstrom of waves and spray. By nightfall, it was a full gale. The 53-ton Metta Catharina broke free from her anchor, struck Drakes Island and eventually sank on the Cornish side of Plymouth Sound. The entire crew managed to get ashore, but the ship and its cargo were lost for almost two hundred years. In 1973, scuba divers from the Plymouth Sound branch of the British Sub-Aqua club found the ship's bells and were able to identify the wreck. Later that year, after extensive research, details of the Metta Catharina's last voyage appeared in an article in the "Sherbourne Mercury". Further underwater investigation revealed bundles of hides littering the sea bed, remarkably preserved after two centuries of being immersed in black mud. In fact, the deeper they were buried, the better they were preserved. It has since been confirmed that the leather is almost certainly reindeer, and has been tanned the traditional Russian way with willow bark and birch oil, giving it a distinctive aroma. Most of the hides have a crosshatched grain embossed by hand. A similar grain can be seen on upholstery and book bindings of the period, as leather curried in birch oil was better able to resist water and repel insects. The fact that this leather survived underwater for so long is testament to the skill of tanners and curriers of the day. Celtic Empire continues this tradition of excellence, using the 200-year-old leather to create a unique line of durable leather goods. Each piece comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, as well as the Catharina von Flensburg story. We hope that you will enjoy their fine quality as much as their history. You know I'm a sucker for history. That and Panerai, and fuggehdaboudit!

Yes, it must've been culled by that Robert Ross person from a better batch of hide. As I said earlier, there was a black Metta being sold on Risti, so the leathers are possibly from different areas of the salvaged brigantine. My certificate of authenticity is here, though.

Tootall, thanks so much for your reply. Made me feel better about time bringing my Metta back! You too, Lanikai. You're always invaluable to making me feel better about PAM goofs. Here are some before and afters: Metta Catherina buckle side, BEFORE Lord Sheraton: AFTER: Metta Catherina long side, BEFORE Lord Sheraton: AFTER: Looked great! Lord Sheraton certainly made the leather pop out, and at least superficially, giving it the gloss I wanted. But then the Strap Queen's pride went to her head, and I decided, hey, beeswax might make it shine more! Cover your eyes. This is disgusting. Sigh. At least, as Tootall said, it looks a little better TODAY. Moral of the story: Don't let .sigs go to your head. You're still learning, Vic...in fact, you'll never stop learning.

It is a perversion. I'm a total strap pute! I know just the one you're referring to. PM Tootall on RWI, since he's not on here regularly. Tell him you're interested in the Moroccan Sunset you saw on Vic's Wrist-check once. I'm sure he'll oblige very quickly in making you this BEAUTIFUL strap. Teej, don't get the SC. Really. It's bad quality leather. Get their buckle for $30, and mount it on other straps. I would hate you to buy a $100 strap which is tough, and creosote-smelling knowing how much each of our

Stephane, you are the town crier of Meg

I see. No, Puggy. He ordered the invasion of Iraq because that area has been the Holy Grail of strategic military power since the year 4000 BC. At least, that was the excuse we British used when we invaded Iraq earlier last century too.

Most people around the world who are not Muslims, don't either. And many people don't want to, not to diss Islam, but simply because they are not religious or interested in religion. Yes, my syntax was awkward, I'm sorry. Put it this way: You seem very careful not to insult Islam (indeed, so am I. Not because I fear, but because I respect), but you common sensically note that attacking certain people, especially without provocation, sometimes causes deep offence, and don't be alarmed if you get violence out of your insults. So let's say a person takes someone posting insultingly about Christianity in a bad way (bad way=violently). Somehow I doubt people will react with quite the same passive, common sensical tone if they do.

Right, that's what people who like to take the mickey out of Christianity usually say. And I think they're right, to an extent. You deal best with what you know. Helps that you know there's nil chance of violent retaliation, though. Good show. Let's hope you show the same equanimity when some crazyman takes insulting Christianity on the internet in a bad way, and kills the person. EDIT: In honour of Fxr Andy's original light-hearted Looney Bin idea, I give you JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF! Well, a Puerto Rican ex-convict who said he was first the Apostle Paul, then Jesus Christ the Lord God Our Man (or whatever title that lady said), then the Anti-Christ. He's covering all the bases! I just can't believe he has a Church in Hialeah. Oh wait, yes I can.